Mmmmm!

I had to work today. I know on Valentine's Day - can you believe it? Ahhh, the injustice of knowing all of my boys (big and small) were home today hanging out while I was working hard for the money at school. I did receive a lovely bouquet of flowers (red roses of course) this morning and came home to these this afternoon. I am all about coming home and eating dessert before actually eating dinner. Notice there are already a few empty spaces in the boxes. Who could resist??? Way to go Hubs! I did put together a lovely gift basket for my man and hooked my little valentines up with a super sweet radio flyer wagon. I know today is a "commercialized" holiday - so they say. But if it means that for one day you are extra lovely to your valentines then so be it. And for those people who are just super lovely every day of the year to all of your special friends/family/loved ones then I applaud you and bow down to your greatness. I for one just love holidays and any excuse to celebrate them. Hope everyone had/has a great Valentine's Day! Hugs and Kisses to you all!

Blog Identitiy Crisis

It seems that every time I write a post (sometimes even when I don't) I change my blog background. I just never seem to find "the one" that reflects my style. I like color, but not too much. I like pattern but in small amounts. I am not tech savvy enough or I would have created my own a while back. After 2 changes this week I think I might have stumbled on one that can stick around for a while. What do you think?

You might be pondering why I am even writing about this now daunting task...I am home for yet another snow day. How did I get so lucky? Right now I am snuggled on the coach while the babies nap and about to eat some of the leftover lasagna rolls the hubs made last night. I am very impressed with his mad skills. Hope all of my snowed in friends enjoy this winter weather for a little longer.

Super Bowl Sunday

Ok...I am going to be real honest here and tell you that although I like football and occasionally watching sports on the tube I couldn't name who was even playing in the Superbowl before this mornings trip to the market where is was made quite obvious.

With that said I still set out for party fixings to enjoy while watching the said Superbowl teams play it out. I had sent out a life line yesterday for some great chili recipes via FB. I got several - thank goodness since is was on the menu for tonights celebration. I also consulted with my mom who laughed and said these 4 words. Two Alarm Chili Kit. I put it on my list along with other chili recipe suggestion ingredients and set forth with my two little helpers to brave the grocery shoppers and football fans. While there I picked up a few other things to really amp up our private Superbowl party. The hubs works until 6:00 tonight (say a prayer that the citizens of our city play nice and he can come home on time). My goal is to have everything cooked, baked, and laid out when he walks in the door so he can enjoy himself and watch the game. I even gave the boys a bath this morning in preparations for tonights events.

Below is a pic of the chili kit that my mom so raved about and 3 people at the store grabbed while I was looking at the directions on the back. Also - one thing I can't live without when using the crock pot - Slow Cooker Bags. Discovered them last year and have been using them ever since. These things are a definite saver of some serious scrubbing after a slow cooked meal.

Better Than Chili on a Freezing Night

So it's freezing here in Fort Worth. After basically being trapped in our house for the past few days the hubs finally decided he could venture out to get provisions and he desperately needed a hair cut.

Since I had time on my hands I decided to bust out my Southern Living Cooking Light Cookbook. I love their recipes that stretch from appetizers to breads to main courses/sides and every type of dessert imaginable (a word to the wise - do not open on an empty stomach). They can be a little lengthy in ingredients/directions so I really haven't used it a ton since time is usually not a luxury I have (seeing how I am a working mother of twins). Another thing I love about this cook book is its pictures. I for one usually will not attempt a recipe unless I see what the final product will look like. So as I was browsing this picture caught my eye.

The ingredients were as followed...

6 tablespoons of pearl barely (I used brown rice), 1 1/2 cups water, 4 large bell peppers , 1 small onion - diced, 1 celery stalk (I think we used 3 - I like celery), 3/4 lb ground chicken (not found so i used turkey), 1 1/4 cups light beer or chicken broth, 2 tablespoons of Dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds, 1/2 teaspoon salt, ground pepper to taste, 3 teaspoons of golden raisins, 2 tablespoons sliced almonds

Directions...

Cook rice/barely according to directions on package - set aside. Bring a large pot of water to boil. After cutting tops of bell peppers place in boiling water for 3 minutes. Rinse with cool water immediately after to stop further cooking. Preheat your oven at this point to 375. In a large skillet cook diced onion with celery until soft for about 3 minutes. Add your chicken/turkey and cook until browned. Add 1/4 cup of beer or broth, mustard, caraway seeds,salt & ground pepper. Cook until liquid reduces to a glaze - 2 minutes. Remove mixture from heat. Add in the barely or rice, raisins, and almonds. Stuff mixture into bell peppers, place in a snug baking dish. Pour remaining beer in the bottom of the dish and bake for 30 minutes. Discard sauce after baking and serve.

I wish the hubs wouldn't have plated them so quickly - we ate the so fast I didn't get to take of picture of them. They were delicious and definitely a break from the regular cold weather pot of chili that is our usual norm.